Real Madrid defeat Man City in CL thriller

Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give Champions League holders Real Madrid a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat first leg of their knockout phase playoff at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland, setting up what should be a thrilling second leg on February 19 in Madrid between two of Europe's most famous teams and biggest rivals.

Haaland opened the scoring with his first career goal against Real in the 19th minute when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball down to the 24-year-old Norwegian, who volleyed into the far corner. The goal was given after fans held their breath through a four-minute VAR check for offside.

Mbappe levelled in the 60th minute with a rebound off a free kick, awkwardly looping the ball off his shin over goalkeeper Ederson and into the net.

Haaland struck from the penalty spot in the 80th minute - awarded after Dani Ceballos took down Phil Foden by his right knee in the box - sending keeper Thibaut Courtois the wrong way.

It was his 49th goal in 48 Champions League games.

But City have struggled to hold onto leads this season, conceding seven goals in the final 15 minutes of Champions League matches. And former City player Diaz pounced on a poor clearance by Ederson of Vinicius Jr's shot to tap home in the 86th minute.

England international Bellingham scored the winner in the 92nd minute to groans from City fans after a shaky pass back from Mateo Kovacic to Rico Lewis saw Vinicius nip in and loop the ball over from the left. Bellingham got in front of John Stones to slot home.

Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides in the Champions League table, in the new league-phase format, meaning one of the tournament's top contenders will be eliminated early.

The clubs are clashing for a fourth consecutive year, having met in four Champions League knockout ties since 2020, although never this early in Europe's elite competition.

City boss Pep Guardiola has said the frequency of meetings makes it feel like a derby, while Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti called the fixture a "modern classic".